I love making time for holiday reading. It’s a great habit for relaxation and mental stimulation – I’ve learnt that even when away I need to be continually exploring new ideas and learning.
So what have I been reading the last two weeks?
THE COACH’S CASEBOOK by Kim Morgan & Geoff Watts
This is a brilliant book for any practising coach as it provides powerful insights into working with clients, the benefits of supervision, and an array of tools and techniques – all in a very open, honest, and human way.
The premise is that our strengths can become our weaknesses and our traits and habitual behaviours can become traps, and that this is no different for coaches.
Each chapter is dedicated to an issue faced by both client and coach – such as people pleasing, perfectionism snd impostor syndrome – supported by a case study on the coach’s thought processes and reflections through client and supervision sessions.
Both conceptual and practical, I know this will become an ever ready reference resource for me… just wish I’d brought my highlighter pens and post its on holiday with me!
BLUE HORSES by Mary Oliver
I have always really enjoyed poetry and exploring how people see the world in different ways using language and metaphors.
I have to say I found this set of poems by Mary Oliver really challenging to begin with given how abstract they are but found myself coming back to it again and again and finding more meaning.
Vulnerable and intuitive, with some lovely piques of humour, it’s essentially a collection about being human and being present, focusing on what can be contained within moments when we connect with the natural world around us.
THE MASTER COACH by Gregg Thompson (audiobook)
This book looks at the skills and traits of a master coach through the 3 Cs of leading with Character, building Connections, and engaging in extraordinary Conversations.
Whilst it largely followed my learning and experiences as a coach so far, it did reinforce the need for the coaching conversation to stay in the now – a dance where the steps aren’t known and the conversation can often be meandering. So true, reminding me as a coach to be present, intuitive and open to any path and outcome for the client.
What are you reading this Summer?
